San Francisco Parents

Birthing classes--East Bay

Oleanah:
Does anyone have any experiences with birthing classes in the area? Any specific methods or classes that you tried and loved/hated? How far in advance do you need to sign up for these things?
Thanks!

I'm delivering at Alta bates so it was a no brainer to take the class there. Where are you delivering? Unless you're birthing at home I'd highly recommend taking a class put on by your hospital / birthing center. On top of all the typical birthing class stuff, It really helped to see the rooms where I'll be delivering and recovering and just all around get comfortable w the hospital.

I signed up about 2 months before my due date and it was a good thing because the class filled up.

I am due in January and am taking a class with Janaki Costello in Albany that start on Oct 14. I have heard great reviews about it. I am delivering at Alta Bates, but since I want a natural birth decided this class would be better. I am just going to take a seperate tour of the hosital. I have also heard good things about the classes at Birthways.

Hello I will also be delivering at Alta bates. EDD 2/14/11 I was curious about the classes offered and since I'm not that far along I haven't got the chance to look into it. Any thoughts on the class or class size?? Are there different kinds available?

I'm due in February and will be delivering at Kaiser. They also have classes, but I'm thinking we may need more if it's going to be a natural birth. I'm not hiring a doula and my birth plan consists of getting the baby out as safely as possible, but I would like to try to challenge myself with a natural birth. Thanks for the info. I'll look into Janaki--does she teach a specific method? I'd love to hear about it after your first session.
-Hali

Which Kaiser are you delivering at? I delivered at Hayward and they we SO accommodating with my natural birth. Are you seeing a midwife or an OBGYN? You are right about that class not totally preparing you for a natural birth. They really try, but I think there are a lot more "techniques" they can focus on. If Palo Alto is not that far from you, I would suggest a class at www.blossombirth.org. I think we went for 4-5 hours on a Saturday and I learned so much more than I did at the 6-8 wk Kaiser course.

Have you ever heard of using a TENS unit to assist in natural birth? The doula who taught the class at Blossom Birth told us about it and it was a life saver. This website has more information about it: http://www.babycaretens.com/QuestionsAndAnswers.html

I've done two natural births with Kaiser and I'd be happy to talk with you more! Where do you live? I'm in Fremont.

I had a natural birth at Alta Bates and took the month long birth prep class in July. It's a series of 4 classes - once a week for 4 weeks. I loved the class. It was limited to about 12 couples and the class size seemed right. Our instructor was Jennifer Subasic-Marks and she was really wonderful. Even though I planned a natural birth, the class covered c-sections and pain management (drugs), which I appreciated because you never know what will happen in the delivery room despite your birth plans!

If you're looking for any specific types of instruction (Bradley, etc) this class probably isn't for you, but for a comprehensive overview of the birth process I think it fits the bill.

Alta Bates is super progressive as a hospital and I felt very supported by the entire staff in my choice for a natural birth.

If you guys have any questions about the birth experience at Alta Bates feel free to ask! I just gave birth to my daughter there on Sept 3.

Thanks so much for suggesting Janaki. The website was great and I really liked that they incorporate all sorts of methods based on real life experience. Her classes were all full, but it looks likes she's opening an additional class because there's been so much interest.

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